Crimson Countdown: LaMichael Fanning

During the summer, TideNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Alabama roster -- excluding the Tide's 2013 recruiting class -- in our Crimson Countdown series. Starting with No. 1 Dee Hart, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Brandon Ivory.

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Expectations for 2013: There may be no bigger question mark on the Alabama roster than Fanning, who clearly has the potential to be a standout in the SEC but has yet to put everything together on the football field. Last season was a start for the talented defensive end as he played in eight games and recorded four tackles. But one of those tackles against Missouri is why he's such an unknown commodity. On his body-slam of the Tigers' running back, Fanning showed both overwhelming physical gifts and underwhelming awareness, not understanding in the moment that he should not literally throw a ball carrier over his head.